RAMALLAH, July 12, 2016 (WAFA) –Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Tuesday issued a statement condemning Israel‘s plan to support the illegal Kiryat Arba settlement and the Jewish settlers in Hebron with an additional $13 million.

“The continued expansion of illegal settlements and the substantial sums poured into their development shows that Israel‘s purported support of a two-state solution is not credible," Hamdallah said. "Its only purpose is to divert the international community from Israel‘s true intention, making the creation of a Palestinian state impossible and maintaining the brutal occupation of the Palestinians indefinitely."

The announcement of the $13 million plan comes shortly after the Israeli government approved the construction of 800 new housing units for settlers in East Jerusalem and Ma‘aleh Adumim, a decision harshly criticized by both the European Union and the United Nations.

The recently published report by the Middle East Quartet has also stated that the continuing expansion of settlements is one of the major obstacles to peace.

"Once again, the Israeli government‘s support for the illegal settlements and their extremist inhabitants makes it clear who the aggressor is," said Jamal Dajani, Director of Strategic Communication and Media at the Prime Minister‘s Office. "Israel tries to portray itself as a victim, when the real victims are the Palestinians. They are the ones who are having their land stolen, their future taken and who are being killed by violent settlers and trigger-happy soldiers."

M.N